Woods to play Dubai Ladies Masters in December

After spending a second straight season on the LPGA Tour, Cheyenne Woods is hopeful her experience and enhanced skills will provide a strong challenge to the quality field that is expected to compete at this year’s Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club from December 7-10.

With sporting prowess running in the family, the niece of Tiger Woods has already carved her own identity beyond sharing a celebrated surname by winning the Ladies European Tour’s Australian Masters in 2014 and securing full playing status on the demanding LPGA Tour.

Known for her power, flair and exuberance, Cheyenne is sure to add to the excitement when she joins a field headlined by defending champion Shanshan Feng in her second appearance in the event.

“I feel I have progressed, and my game is much better after playing on the LPGA Tour,” said the 26-year-old, who finished tied 24th on five-under par in her first Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in 2014.

“I love Dubai, I love the tournament and it was great fun playing two years ago. Dubai is exactly like what I had imagined – everything is so beautiful,” said the American, whose second season on the LPGA Tour this year is highlighted by a tied sixth finish at the Cambia Portland Classic in June.

During her last trip to Dubai, Cheyenne followed in the footsteps of her famous uncle when she recreated the iconic images of hitting golf shots from the helipad at the top of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

“It’s a little surreal to know that Tiger was there 12 years ago in the same spot. It’s beautiful. I had seen the photos of Tiger atop the helipad, but for me it was even crazier,” she said, who enjoyed a decorated amateur career, winning over 30 tournaments, before turning pro in 2012.

“The ultimate goal is to have a successful career, to be a champion, to be No1 in the world. No one wants to play to be second,” added the Phoenix native, who fired a career-best 63 in the first round of the 2015 LPGA Manulife Classic in Ontario.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of organisers ‘golf in DUBAi,’ said: “We are
delighted to welcome back a player who is a great ambassador for women’s golf and a tremendous role model so many young girls.

“Cheyenne is someone who has real enthusiasm for the game and has shown if you put your mindset on your goals, you will invariably achieve them. Her presence elevates the energy of the competition.

“I wish her the best and hope she has a wonderful stay in Dubai.”

The ¤500,000 tournament is the season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour.

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Hinton edges Campbell by one-shot in Abu Dhabi

Craig Hinton survived a compelling late fight-back from compatriot Scott Campbell to seal a tense victory at the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open at Yas Links, on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Englishman closed with a 69 to reach 13-under for the tournament, edging Campbell by one-shot for his second win on the MENA Golf Tour.

England’s Lee Corfield, playing in the final group alongside Hinton, occupied solo third after carding a final round 70 as Zane Scotland and his playing partner Joe Heraty shared fourth on nine under, one ahead of Spain’s Borja Cabello.

“It was a pretty enjoyable week. This golf course is just fantastic. Stuck to my game plan and didn’t miss much. And if I did it was in the right areas and that gave me good scoring opportunities,” said Hinton, who received the winner’s trophy from Giuliano Gasparini, senior manager of hospitality and leisure for Aldar Properties, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour.

“I think making a birdie on the 17th was crucial as it gave me a oneshot cushion standing on the 18th tee. During the whole week, I may have missed a few putts, but holed the crucial ones which was the key,” he said.

Playing in his very first event on the MENA Golf Tour, Pierre Junior Verlaar of the Netherlands wasted no time in making his presence felt, winning the leading amateur title on six-under, a good three shots ahead of Scotland’s Daniel Hendry.

“The whole week I played very well. Struck the ball beautifully and managed to keep it in play, but didn’t make many putts,” said the 18-year- old Dutch prodigy. “It was fun playing on the MENA Golf Tour and looking forward to my next event on the tour in Oman.”

Morocco’s Younes El Hassani won the MENA Division for professionals on one under after carding a final round 70, beating his nearest challenger and compatriot Ahmed Marjan by one shot while Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla took the region’s leading amateur honours for the fourth time in a row.

Saving his best for last, Almulla returned a brilliant 69 to reach level par for the tournament, finishing a good six shots ahead of Morocco’s Jamal Allali in his division.

“The whole UAE swing has been great for me. Played really well, but didn’t hole that many putts,” said the 30-year-old Saudi ace, who mixed four birdies with a lone bogey at the 16th.

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Hinton off to a flyer

Craig Hinton rode a strong birdie-eagle start en route to a six-under 66 that propelled him atop the leaderboard after the opening round of the MENA Golf Tour’s Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open at Yas Links course on Monday.

The 27-year-old Englishman from Thame made five birdies and one eagle against a long bogey to go one clear of Joe Heraty of England and Kevin Esteve of Andorra on a hot and humid day when 28 players broke par.

“I got off to a solid start and that kind of set the tone for the round. Played really good and didn’t miss much out there,” said Hinton, who smashed his four iron from 232 yards to within 15 feet on the second and holed the eagle putt.

“The course is playing is good and its design is absolutely great. There are plenty of scoring opportunities there if you can keep the ball in play,” added Hinton, who bogeyed the 18th after pulling his approach into the rough.

“It was pretty frustrating to end the round with a bogey, but overall I had fun. You can’t complain after shooting a 66.”

Playing in his first season on the MENA Golf Tour, Esteve was equally pleased with his day’s efforts.

“It was a pretty good day there,” said the 26-year-old. “I drove the ball and putted solid. I could have done even better, but missed two easy birdie chances and then three putted the par-3, eighth for my only bogey of the day.

“I think I missed just one green and that shows I managed to keep the ball in play. It’s my best round on the MENA Golf Tour that I joined earlier this year.”

Morocco’s Younes El Hassani led the MENA Division for professionals after opening with a 71 one clear of UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh as Bahrain’s Sam Hobday spearheaded the charge in the region’s amateur division after carding a par 72 despite a double bogey on the ninth.

Al Musharrekh flew off the gate in style, reeling off three birdies in a row from the second before making the turn at four under. He picked up another shot on the par-5, 11th to move to five-under, but a quadruple bogey on the 12th halted his charge up the leaderboard when he pulled his drive, resulting in a lost ball.

“Take that hole away, I think I really played well. I am feeling quite confident about my game, going into the second round,” said Al Musharrekh, who is seeking his first MENA Golf Tour win.

“If I can keep the momentum going, I think I stand a good chance posting a nice score.”

Meanwhile, Welsh ace Stephen Dodd and the English duo of Zane Scotland and Danny Poulter carded matching 72s, while Andrew Marshall returned a one-under 71 and Luke Joy settled for a 73.

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